Scania targets urban deliveries

Truck maker Scania is targeting the urban delivery and municipal services markets with a new low-entry truck cab called the L-Series, which is about to make its UK and Irish debut.

The Urban Cab has front air suspension, allowing it to ‘kneel’ to allow easier access and egress for urban operations such as refuse work. It can also be driven at speeds of up to 20mph with the cab in the lowered position, which is ideal for work where passengers have to regular hop in and out.

Low-entry truck cabs are already common on refuse vehicles, but Scania sees demand growing in city delivery operations, especially in areas where Direct Vision is an increasingly important concern.

Henrik Eng, Scania’s Director for Urban Trucks, said, “The L-series really comes into its own in heavy traffic, where many different road users have to interact with one another.

“Being more on a level with your surroundings, while also having a well-designed boarding step, is appreciated by drivers. There is a clear trend towards low-entry cabs for trucks operating in the city and they are now in demand not only for refuse trucks but also for applications in construction and distribution.”

The driver’s vision can be further assisted by the fitting of an optional Scania City Safe Window in the passenger door, which improves the driver’s ability to detect vulnerable road users.

“Drivers working in busy cities need all the help they can get so that the safety margins are always on their side,” said Eng. “A simple, analogue window in the door makes more of a contribution than you might expect while also reducing stress levels. Solutions involving cameras and sensors do not in any way reduce the value of being able to see and even establish eye contact with other people in traffic.”